Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (luogo)

An unusually colorful memorial. Diagonally opposite the current Federal Chancellery was the Institute for Sexual Science of Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld.

Just visited today. Beautiful memorial to Magnus Hirschfeld, but also implicitly Dora Richter, the employees and clients of the Institut für Sexualwissenschaft, and all queer people who were persecuted by the nazis.

A bit too much fuss about the controversial sexologist around here.

The column is simple in design and serves as a memorial against discriminating against sexual minorities based on their orientation. Our society has progressed too far to dictate what one person does with another, with their consent, under the covers at night. Is that really anyone's business? The memorial has stood since a time when sexual behavior was little to not influenced by the internet. In an era where partner searches are dominated by fake dating accounts, fraudulent partner requests from overseas based on forged or stolen identities, and manipulated sexual ratings, the memorial has taken on a new meaning. The stones placed on the memorial commemorate those who have taken their own lives due to traditional sexual discrimination or the scams of New Age dating.

An important place for the culture of remembrance. The column is currently (July 2019) fenced off. Why is unclear.

Another “must visit” on any Berlin Queer History pilgrimage. My translation of the plaque is: “Through knowledge to justice” (Latin) Science Creates Law. Guided by these principals, the doctor and sexologist Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld (Born May 14, 1868 in Kolberg; Died May 14, 1935 in Nice) opened the Institute for Sexology near this spot at 9A-10 Gegrundeten Street. Originally recognized as a legal foundation by the Prussian state*, the building was looted and vandalized by the Nazis in 1933, and its more than 12,000 writings were publicly burned. The Institute for Sexology, which was destroyed in the Second World War, was the first institution in the world to combine sexology research, teaching, and a place of medical care and refuge for all who were socially outlawed because of their sexuality. Dedicated 6 July 1994 *Technically the Institute was opened under the Weimar Republic, but Hirschfeld’s work for the Scientific-Humanitarian Committee was begun under the Prussian State.

By chance and completely unexpectedly, there it was before me: the stele. I paused and did some research. And once again, the unimaginable was within my grasp. Ten thousandfold injustice perpetrated by a regime that despised humanity. I thought how fortunate that memorials like this still exist.

Stele commemorating the Institute for Sexual Science founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, which was destroyed in 1933